Orthodox Parables and Stories: "St. Nicholaos Planas and the beggar"

Saint Nikolaos Planas used to go to Christian homes to bless with holy water or perform holy unctions. Once he was in Kolonaki (with Papadiamantis who was his cantor) the people of Kolonaki had learned that he was pious and called him.

When he came from a noble house, the beggars see him and they say among themselves: "Where is the priest going? He goes there. Let's go too."

He was walkiong and a beggar came who was more of a fool and goes limp and says to him, "Father, give it to me." And the Saint took out what he had in his pocket and gave it to him.

Papadiamantis was next to him and he says to him: "Father, pay attention, because I see him in the square."

- Yes, yes, yes, it's okay, it's okay.

The beggar goes around the block from the apartment building to the next and goes to the second alley, and limps again and goes again in front of saint.

And the priest pulls out from the other pocket again and gives what he has to him.

Papadiamantis got angry and said to him:

– Father!!

– Yes, yes, I have it in mind, I have it in mind .

The third time he does the same. There, Papadiamantis lost control and said to him:

- Can't you see well, father? Lift your head to see him. Since he is the same, he wears the same clothes, does the same pranks.

And he says:

- Be quiet, blessed one, it is Christ and he is testing us.